Celebrating baseball’s return means it’s also time for fans to turn their attention to one of the greatest things about watching America’s pastime—the concession stand!
From the savory to the sweet, some of the ballpark delights are so much a part of the game that it would be nearly unthinkable not to have them while enjoying an afternoon or evening cheering on your favorite team.
After all, what’s going out to the ball game without buying the peanuts, right?
Although this year’s baseball enjoyment requires fans to get a tad creative while bringing the experience home, it doesn’t mean there’s no room for enjoying concession stand favorites. In fact, it only adds to the excitement that the game is back!
Fans can create their own stadium feeling by snacking on a few of the game’s all-time great options, including these five that would be hard to pass up.
In-shell peanuts
It’s the game’s favorite snack, and one of the easiest to enjoy—whether that’s from your outdoor setup or the living room! In-shell peanuts have intertwined with baseball since the 1890s, and today, it’s a staple for fans across America’s ballparks. To add that stadium feeling to your in-home concession stand, you can have a little fun with your watching party and toss out bags of the roasted delights during the game—just give them a heads up: “Peanuts, here!”
Homemade pretzels
Sure, there’s a little more work to this option, but what’s a day spent watching baseball without a soft pretzel?! The added bonus with this concession favorite: Ballpark experiences often go hand in hand with the sights, sounds and smells we’re so used to enjoying while at a game—and filling your at-home stadium with the aroma of soft pretzels would be welcomed by even the opposing team’s fans.
Hot dogs
No baseball game would be complete without hot dogs. To add a stadium-like twist, set up a condiment section somewhere in or near the kitchen, so fans attending your at-home baseball celebration can add onions, relish, ketchup, mustard—the works! For that extra touch of a ballpark classic, serve the hot dogs wrapped in aluminum foil. (This will also allow you to test your stadium vendor skills as you toss a few to the fans during the game!)
Nachos
There’s nothing like cheering for a big two-out hit while simultaneously trying to snack on a chip loaded with all sorts of toppings! Homemade nachos would definitely be a solid choice for your concession enjoyment. The options are so extensive that you can create different versions to appease all of the guests watching the game: Veggie. Meat. Chicken. FULLY LOADED!
Like hot dogs, you can also add a touch of ballpark flare to the experience by serving a plain version that comes with a side of nacho cheese and jalapeños.
Ice Cream
Celebrating baseball’s return with a few scoops of ice cream covered in chocolate syrup and topped with roasted peanuts? It’s an undefeated option! You can serve it in cups with your favorite team’s colors and logo, or create the longtime baseball-watching tradition of enjoying your cool treat in a waffle cone.
Either way, it’s a win-win!